Saturday, 18 October 2014

'Forbidden Broadway' Vaudeville Theatre ****

We Brits do like a good parody, specifically when it derives
from impersonating certain industries and people. The Menier Chocolate Factory’s
revised version of Gerard Alessandrini's mockery of the theatrical industry, ‘Forbidden
Broadway’ receives its West End transfer, and I thought it was outstandingly
hilarious and engaging throughout. ‘Forbidden Broadway’ has been continuously
reworked since its formation in 1981, and this interpretation includes witty
quick jibes to the likes of musical flops, ‘I Can't Sing!’ and ‘Stephen Ward’.
We are greeted with an understanding of the egotistical and commercialist
business that is theatre, especially when one member of the company instead of
playing The Engineer from’ Miss Saigon’, the role has been reinvented to mimic
the most successful musical producer in the United Kingdom Sir Cameron
Mackintosh with “America’s cream” and establishes the pretentiousness of
practitioners in this wondrous industry. In addition, the satire enables us to
think why the industry has mislaid its originality, and basing musicals on
children's books, films etc. , this is shown when we are when we see impersonation
of Alex Jennings’ Willy Wonka with “Come with me, and we'll see a show with no
imagination.” Moreover, we observe the industry's desire to cut down on
employing musicians with a sneering musical number to End a Walsh’s ‘Once’ “And
have you seen Once? Once is enough.” As well as, the production ridicules the
role of the children’s Casting Director, and how manipulative child labour can
be with the musicals, ‘Billy Elliot’ and ‘Matilda The Musical’ where the child
has to carry the show. There’s increasing poignancy here with the explanation
of horrifically expensive ticket prices; in particular, ‘The Book of Mormon’. Even
though Alessandrini has devised a rib-tickling production I did find the lack
of a cohesive narrative to be slightly disappointing, but the dialogue was
exceptionally tempting. One thought the performances by the company of ‘Forbidden
Broadway’ was immaculate as their comic timing was beautifully precise.
Christina Bianco is sparkling here; especially her performance as the iconic
diva, Liza Minnelli with a burlesque atmosphere and her characterisation as Matilda
were vastly laughable as her make-up was increased increasingly childlike. Anna
Jane Casey is effervescent here; in particular when she plays one of the four
members of juke box musical, ’Jersey Boys’ and her musicality is unprecedented
in the Sondheim section. Damian Hambley is fantastic in the’ Les Miserables’
aspect which demeans the musicals longevity with “Ten Years More”. Ben Lewis is
delightful as his Australian upbringing has being used meticulously when he
insults Hugh Jackman’s portrayal in ‘Oklahoma’ and his balletic movements as
Billy Elliot was riotous. Philip George's direction and choreography is
brilliant as we are taken on a historical journey through what musical theatre
is currently within United Kingdom and Broadway in an amusingly shameful
expression. Morgan Large’s set design is dazzling as it appears that one has
been invited to a cabaret style club where the entire industry of theatricality
is mocked to smithereens, and the tinsel texture was increasingly eye-catching
too and immensely camp. Overall, the experience of ‘Forbidden Broadway’ was a
funny one and a well recommended show indeed.